The Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation (WACF) is a local public not-for-profit foundation dedicated to the preservation and enhancement of the Wawasee area watershed for present and future generations.
The Wawasee Watershed covers 23,618 acres including Wawasee, Syracuse, Bonar and Papakeechie lakes as well as ten lakes in the upper Turkey Creek sub watershed.
The Foundation was formed in 1991 to anticipate, search out, and solve threats to the Wawasee Area Watershed and to its water quality. The Foundation is dedicated to enhancement of the watershed and works hand-in-hand with property owner groups, the State Department of Natural Resources and other governmental and civic organizations that share its concerns. The Foundation was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) corporation, thus enabling it to provide tax advantages for gifts and grants.
WACF is in favor of the Oakwood Inn project and willing to work with Buckingham on pier location and usage - just not at the expense of the lake.
WACF stance all along has been responsible lake stewardship, and there are two avenues to support that stance: DNR’s pier coverage rules and the County Funneling Ordinance. The DNR Rules on Group Piers allows for 50% coverage of frontage, and the proposed plan is well over that. WACF supports the intent of the Funneling Ordinance which currently allows a maximum of 88 households access to the lake through the Oakwood property. We believe the funneling ordinance was put in place for a reason, and promotes responsible lake use. The group pier permit recently approved by the DNR at the Oakwood Park shoreline does not impose these restrictions. For these reasons, WACF is appealing the group pier permit.
WACF benefits from, appreciates and values the support of the WPOA (Wawasee Property Owners Association), the SLA (Syracuse Lake Association) and TWF (Tippecanoe Watershed Foundation) in this appeal process. All of these local groups represent concerned citizens who enjoy and value our natural resources and the quality of life and recreation our lakes provide thousands of visitors every year. If the ecology of our lakes, and in this case Lake Wawasee, is diminished or permanently affected in a negative way because of environmentally damaging projects, we all lose an irreplaceable resource. There are many reasons why we need to protect Conklin Bay, including that it warranted the first Eco-zone in the state, protecting the wetland fringe. WACF does not control the appeal process and is not the only party planning to appeal.
The potential fuel loading and bottom stirring from the concentrated number of boats (170 + as proposed) using the proposed pier areas is a concern with water quality. Gasoline tank overflows, oily bilge water discharge, and engine exhaust emissions into the pier area water could result in a deterioration of water quality in the Oakwood area and beyond. Poor water quality would negatively impact the simplest form of lake pleasures, local swimming and beach use. We are also concerned about added prop wash in the shallow nearshore areas, adding sediments and nutrients (phosphorus) to the water column, which could then result in increased turbidity and algal growth.
It is our mission to provide outreach and education on these issues whenever possible and as significant environmental impacts or threats are pressing. We are preparing an update for the papers and trust that the Mail-Journal audience will consider the intent of the WACF appeal, and support its position to protect our watershed resources.
DNR Oakwood Dredging Permit Application 2-21-12
The DNR has updated WACF that the Oakwood dredging application is still pending. The extent of the dredging has, however, been reduced. See the revised dredging area (received at the Division of Water on February 17th) in document below. WACF appreciates the revised proposed dredging area, as this does not include the natural lakebed along the shoreline of the Oakwood Park.
DNR Awards Group Pier Permit at Oakwood 2-10-12
Included below is the permit that was awarded by the DNR to Buckingham Co. at the Oakwood Park shoreline. WACF's stance on the group piers is a maximum of 90 slips following the intent of the Kosciusko Funneling Ordinance. The permit below does not define a number of slips. The first four sentences describe the pier configuration, then regarding number of slips, the permit states: 'The number of pier extensions installed will be at the discretion of the permit holder so as to maximize the number of boat slips desired.' WACF is appealing this permit.
Community support on Oakwood Group Pier and Dredging opposition
WACF appreciates the response to our earlier letter notifying the public of the public hearings with the DNR addressing dredging and the proposed group piers at Oakwood. WACF appreciates all who attended those hearings, those who spoke of their particular concerns, and those who had to stand at the back of the room for the two hour sessions.
Those who attended the dredging hearing were unanimous in opposition and revealed a dedication to preserve water quality and the health of our lakes today and in the future. Ecological and safety concerns were expressed citing many different reasons why the DNR should deny these requests.
Residents in communities throughout this area are awaiting the DNR response - either to disapprove or approve these requests. To support this effort to maintain water quality it is urged that individuals contact the DNR and urge them to deny the Oakwood group pier and dredging applications (Attn: Michael W. Neyer, P.E., Director, IDNR, Division of Water, 402 West Washington Street, W264, Indianapolis, IN 46204 Email: MNeyer@dnr.IN.gov)
Oakwood proposed Group Piers and Dredging
WACF is currently involved in challenging a proposal by Buckingham Co. for seven group piers and 248 boat slips in front of the Oakwood Inn. In October WACF initiated a petition for a public hearing and hired legal representation. Thank you to all who are supporting this effort.
In addition, and even more alarming, WACF is challenging a proposal by Todd Bowen to dredge 827' in front of the Oakwood Inn. WACF has initiated a petition for a public hearing on this request as well. These decisions are in the hands of the DNR and we will continue to pursue denials on both of these requests that are seriously threatening to the water quality of Wawasee.
The DNR has scheduled a Public Hearing on the dredging of 827' of Oakwood Park shoreline for Thursday, January 5, 2012, at 5:00pm in Meeting Room C of the Warsaw Community Public Library located at 310 E. Main Street in Warsaw, Indiana. If you have any questions concerning this public hearing, contact Alysson Oliger in the Technical Services Center at 317-234-1087 or 877-928-3755 or writ to aoliger@dnr.IN.gov. If you cannot attend the hearing, please let the DNR how you feel about dredging the lake bed.
